Second Reading Debate
Debate resumed from an earlier hour.
Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (12:23): I am delighted to make a short contribution to debate on an importance piece of legislation, the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Organised Crimes Reforms) Bill 2026, for the reasons that the Premier outlined during question time. I first make a couple of important observations. The police have not been in the current tragic situation for quite some time, and there is no greater tragedy than for the innocent victims. Gangs, thugs and criminals are recruiting children to do their dirty work. Some members in this place have exercised an element of posturing to try to push a political agenda, rather than pragmatically providing our police with the support that they desperately need.
All members, including the Premier and the police Minister, want to pass the bill as quickly as we can. However, it had to be done right to ensure that the relevant and appropriate powers were effectively placed in the legislation. It will be most effective if it provides the authorities, the commission and the police the ability to get on with the job of keeping the community safe. Our community had its heart broken by the tragedy in Glen Alpine. My heart goes out to the family in my electorate who suffered that tragedy, as well as to the many other families who have been affected by those heinous crimes. The Government is taking every appropriate action, either through legislation or other mechanisms, to support our local police.
My final observation is about our police officers and authorities, who are working diligently and bravely in uncharted waters to remedy the situation of gangland crime. We have seen gangland crime in the past. I vividly remember the Milperra Father's Day massacre that occurred during the bikie wars. I also recall other times in history, particularly the gangland wars during the Carr Government's time and the Middle Eastern crime unit that was established. Those were unique circumstances at that time, and I remember that the Parliament came together sensibly. It united to pass legislation so that our police were well supported. To conclude, I respectfully say to those who would use this situation for political purposes, rather than pragmatic purposes, that there will be plenty of other opportunities to do that. However, my friends, this is not that time and this is not that issue. We need to arm our police as best we can and protect our children.
